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Engineering

Iowa's College of Engineering offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree in eight majors.

Engineering students have the opportunity to make a difference in the world in many ways. Students who accept this challenge tend to be bright, dedicated, and attracted to a field that offers future employment opportunities with high salaries, prestige, and respect. In the working world, an engineering degree provides a competitive advantage.

Engineering Majors

Iowa's College of Engineering offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree in eight majors:

Five-Year BSE/MS Degree

Every engineering major at Iowa offers a "fast-track" program that allows students to earn a bachelor's and a master's degree in engineering in five years.

Undeclared Major in Engineering

First-year students who aren't sure which engineering major to choose can apply to the College of Engineering as "undeclared" majors and spend up to three semesters exploring the options.

Why Study at Iowa

Students choose to study engineering at Iowa because of the college’s academic excellence, individual attention, small-college environment, camaraderie, and tremendous opportunities. U.S.News & World Report ranks Iowa’s undergraduate engineering program in the top 20 percent of engineering programs nationwide.

About 525 first-year students and 100 transfer students enroll each year. Women account for over 27 percent of Iowa’s engineering students; the national average is 20 percent.

Iowa admits students who have math and science talent and great potential to become engineers, then immerses them in an environment focused on student success and teamwork. As you work to achieve your goals, the college’s faculty and staff will work alongside you, providing you with resources, guidance, and encouragement.

You may be involved in significant research projects with your professors or do individual honors research. You’ll also pursue additional learning opportunities in your major field, such as co-ops, internships, study abroad, and group leadership. You may decide to earn a second degree or a minor in business or a liberal arts and sciences discipline—more than 75 percent of Iowa’s engineering students do.

The college will encourage you to get involved in activities outside academics; Iowa engineering students include varsity athletes, musicians, student leaders, and Homecoming royalty. Outside activities will help you stay well-rounded, a quality that potential employers look for.

Course Work

Course work for each of the engineering BSE degree programs is organized into four stems: mathematics and basic sciences, engineering topics, general education (humanities and social sciences), and an elective focus area suited to your interests.

Students work with an adviser to plan the elective focus area, which could be a specialty area in your major (pre-medicine is a popular choice in the biomedical and chemical engineering majors); a minor in business or in a liberal arts and sciences discipline; or an interdisciplinary certificate.

Undergraduate Certificates

The Certificate in Naval Hydrodynamics provides a solid technical and leadership background that will help graduates thrive in civilian careers in Navy science and technology positions and in supporting industry.

The Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship is available only to engineering majors. It is designed for students who plan to start and operate their own business after graduation or for students interested in business and innovation.

The Certificate in Wind Energy was developed to meet the emerging market needs for professionals with diverse backgrounds and knowledge of wind energy fundamentals.

Student Opportunities

Engineering student organizations, fraternities and sororities, and national honorary societies will offer you many opportunities to develop your leadership abilities.

The College of Engineering's Student Services will provide you with comprehensive admissions, scholarship, advising, mentoring and tutoring, student records, professional development, and career placement services. It also will help you with co-op and internship placement and study abroad. Engineering student support services include free tutoring for your first two years of math, science, and engineering courses.

The Hanson Center for Technical Communication helps undergraduate students develop and polish their writing and presentation skills. The center is staffed by professional writing consultants and peer tutors.

Faculty, Facilities, and Resources

Iowa’s nationally and internationally renowned faculty members, including physicians and practicing engineers, teach all of the college's engineering classes, including those for first-year students. No engineering classes are taught by teaching assistants. Faculty members also encourage undergraduates to work in their research labs.

The Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences offers everything you'll need under one roof. It houses all of the college’s departments and most faculty offices. The eight large computer labs offer access to state-of-the-art computer equipment 24 hours a day, and the building has wireless technology. Classrooms also feature the latest technology.

You’ll be able to study in the John Deere Plaza and the Student Commons, which is next to the Lichtenberger Engineering Library. The commons features a two-story atrium and is designed to replicate a real-world engineering work center, with team study areas for students who are working on projects together.

The college is home to four major research centers: IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering; the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology; the Center for Computer-Aided Design; and the Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging.

The college’s location at a major research university enables its scholars and scientists to collaborate easily with those in many other disciplines. For instance, the Carver College of Medicine and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics provide numerous opportunities for research partnerships in the health sciences.

These partnerships and facilities provide a wealth of research opportunities for engineering students.

Careers

On average, 93-98 percent of our graduates are employed in their field of study or pursuing advanced education within seven months of graduation.

Engineering is a well-respected profession that is used as a foundation for a variety of careers in industry, medicine, law, government, and consulting. Engineering majors hold eight of the top ten spots on the list of top-paid majors for bachelor's degree graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Engineering Professional Development (EPD)

Engineering Professional Development develops and promotes experiential education and professional opportunities for students in the College of Engineering. Professional staff coordinate the college's co-op and internship program, engage in employer outreach, and provide opportunities for students to network with employers, including an engineering career fair each semester and other programming related to career development.

Scholarships

Apply early for scholarships. The college offers Engineering First-Year scholarships as well as many other scholarship opportunities for sophomore, junior, and senior students. Learn more at College of Engineering Scholarships.